Gulf states weigh living side by side with Iran as Tehran weaponises Hormuz

Key Points:

• For the first time since the US-Iran framework deal, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries united in a summit with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to express strong support for the US and address regional security concerns, particularly regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
• The GCC and US jointly emphasized preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and addressing Iran’s ballistic missiles, drones, and proxy support as essential for lasting regional peace, while insisting on free and unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
• Despite agreeing on strategic unity, the Gulf states remain wary of Iran’s missile capabilities and destabilizing actions, conditioning future economic engagement on Iran’s compliance with the memorandum of understanding and cessation of hostile behavior.
• The partners rejected Iran’s claims of sovereignty over the Strait and any attempts to impose tolls or control, while also calling for the disarmament of Hezbollah and other non-state armed groups in Lebanon and Gaza to enable regional stability and reconstruction.
• Analysts warn that Iran may seek to leverage the US-Iran deal to maintain influence in the Gulf, potentially causing divisions among Gulf states that balance economic urgencies with geopolitical rivalries, signaling a complex and cautious regional recalibration post-war.